Big Ten Basketball Tournament 2011 Bracket Update: Michigan State Defeats Iowa 66-61

Michigan State aren't completely off the bubble, but with a win tonight in the 2011 Big Ten Basketball Tournament over Iowa, they've moved considerably closer to securing an NCAA Tournament berth. The Hawkeyes pushed them all night, but the Spartans were eventually able to take the lead and hold on at the end of the half, securing a 66-61 victory.

Michigan State faces Purdue tomorrow, and while it is not a must-win game, a win over the Boilermakers would all but guarantee a March Madness bid.

For more on this game, Iowa Hawkeyes fans should visit Black Heart Gold Pants, and Michigan State Spartans fans should visit The Only Colors.

Here is the full Big Ten Tournament 2011 bracket (all times EST):    

First Round: Thursday, March 10

No. 8 Northwestern Wildcats def. No. 9 Minnesota Golden Gophers, 

No. 7 Michigan State Spartans vs. No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes, 25 minutes after Northwestern-Minnesota, ESPN2

No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions vs. No. 11 Indiana Hoosiers, 7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

Quarterfinals: Friday, March 11

No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Northwestern, noon, ESPN2

No. 4 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 5 Illinois Fighting Illini, 25 minutes after Ohio State game, ESPN2

No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers vs. Michigan State, 6:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers vs. Penn State-Indiana winner, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2

Semifinals: Saturday, March 12

Ohio State/Northwestern winner vs. quarterfinals game 2 winner, 1:40 p.m., CBS

Quarterfinals game 3 winner vs. quarterfinals game 4 winner, 25 minutes after first semifinal, CBS

Championship game: Sunday, March 13

Semifinals winners, 9, ESPN

For more on the 2011 Big Ten tournament, stay tuned to this StoryStream and join BT Powerhouse, Off Tackle Empire, and SB Nation Chicago. Browse our 298 team blogs for a community devoted to your school, and visit our NCAA basketball hub for more on other conference tournaments.